Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's "The Poem Unwritten" conveys a profound sense of longing and the frustration of unfulfilled desire. Through the intimate imagery and metaphor, the poem explores themes of love, intimacy, and the barriers that prevent the full expression of these emotions.

The poem begins by highlighting the anticipation and the physicality of the unwritten poem: "For weeks the poem of your body, / of my hands upon your body / stroking, sweeping, in the rite of / worship." This comparison of physical intimacy to a religious rite elevates the act to something sacred and deeply meaningful. The use of "stroking, sweeping" evokes tenderness and reverence, suggesting a slow, deliberate exploration.

Levertov continues with a vivid description of the journey her hands take: "going / their way of wonder down / from neck-pulse to breast-hair to level / belly to cock." The specific and intimate details underscore the closeness and physical connection that exists or is desired between the lovers. The path described is one of wonder and discovery, each part of the body mentioned with care and attention, indicating a deep appreciation and reverence for the beloved.

However, this poem and this act remain "unwritten" and "undone": "for weeks that poem, that prayer / unwritten." The repetition of "unwritten" emphasizes the frustration and incompleteness of this desire. It is something imagined, longed for, but not realized. The use of "prayer" alongside "poem" reinforces the idea of intimacy as something sacred, a plea or a devotion that remains unfulfilled.

The poem then shifts to a broader reflection on time and obstacles: "The years / a forest of giant stones, of fossil stumps, / blocking the altar." This metaphor of time as a forest of obstacles suggests that years of barriers and difficulties have accumulated, preventing the fulfillment of the intimate act. The "giant stones" and "fossil stumps" evoke images of immovable, ancient impediments, things that are deeply rooted and seemingly insurmountable. These obstacles "block the altar," the place of worship and union, further reinforcing the idea that something sacred and essential has been obstructed.

"The Poem Unwritten" by Denise Levertov captures the intense longing and frustration of unfulfilled intimacy. Through rich, sensory imagery and metaphor, Levertov conveys the sacredness of physical and emotional connection, and the profound impact of time and barriers that prevent the realization of these desires. The poem speaks to the universal experience of longing for closeness and the poignant sense of loss when that closeness is thwarted by circumstances beyond one's control.

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